House amendment makes the following change to the 3rd edition.
Amends GS 115C-375.10(d) to replace the requirement for public school units to report to the Department of Public Instruction (Department) on compliance with mandatory training requirements and prevention activities with a requirement that the Department periodically randomly audit public school units to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements and prevention activities. Authorizes the Department to audit a public school unit if the Department has reason to believe the unit is not in compliance. Directs the Department to report on the results of the audits by December 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
Bill Summaries: all (2017-2018 Session)
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Bill H 285 (2017-2018)Summary date: Apr 24 2017 - View summary
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Bill H 285 (2017-2018)Summary date: Apr 20 2017 - View summary
House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2d edition:
Amends GS 115C-5 to definepublic school unit to include local school administrative units, charter schools, or regional schools.
Amends proposed GS 115C-375.10 (Youth suicide awareness and prevention training and risk referral protocol for school personnel). Provisions that previously applied to local school administrative units now apply to public school units, as defined. Lists fourteen classes of school personnel that must receive the youth suicide awareness and prevention training program, including teachers, bus drivers, and athletic coaches, and deletes the definition of school personnel. Provides that any mental health training requirements established by the State Board of Education must be partially fulfilled by the training program. Requires school employees (was, school personnel) that work directly with students in grades six through 12 to receive the training within 12 months of employment, and every two years thereafter (was, every five years thereafter). Authorizes training to be conducted electronically, through videoconferencing, or through individual programs of study of designated materials. Directs public school units to provide the training program and model risk referral protocol developed by the State Board of Education, or a locally developed plan that meets listed requirements. The listed requirements are substantively the same as in the 2nd edition, except that the conveyed information must include "protective factors for prevention of suicide" instead of "methods and factors to prevent suicide." Amends the reporting requirements for public school units, deleting the language referring to the Healthy Active Children Policy survey, and to require reporting on prevention activities rather than risk referral protocols. Deletes the provision requiring the Department of Public Instruction to compile and submit these reports to General Assembly committees. Provides that there is no obligation or responsibility of public school units to provide referral, treatment, follow-up, or other services related to identification of students at risk of suicide and suicide prevention procedures beyond what may be required by other state or federal law. Provides that this statute does not impose a specific duty or standard of care.
Deletes proposed amendment to GS 115C-218.75 (regarding charter schools).
Amends GS 115C-218.75, GS 115C-238-66, and GS 116-239.8 to require charter schools, regional schools, and lab schools to comply with new GS 115C-375.10.
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Bill H 285 (2017-2018)Summary date: Mar 22 2017 - View summary
House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.
Amends proposed GS 115C-375.10(b) to direct each local school administrative unit to provide the training program and model risk referral protocol, or a locally developed plan that meets the requirements of this statute, to school personnel who work directly with students in grades 6-12 (previously, with K-12 students) at no cost to the employee. Changes the requirement for school personnel who work directly with students in grades 6 through 12 to receive youth suicide awareness and prevention training within 12 months of employment and every five years thereafter (previously, annually) while employed with that local board of education. Requires the Department of Public Instruction to compile the compliance reports from local school administrative units and submit an overview of compliance to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee annually by December 1. Makes organizational, clarifying, and technical changes. Makes conforming and technical changes to proposed GS 115C-218.75(g).
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Bill H 285 (2017-2018)Summary date: Mar 8 2017 - View summary
Enacts new GS 115C375.10 (Youth suicide awareness and prevention training and risk referral protocol for school personnel).
Directs the State Board of Education in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, to develop a youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and a model risk referral protocol to provide to school personnel who work directly with K12 students, consisting of at least two hours of evidence-informed instruction to increase awareness of suicide, identification of risk factors and signs, and information for suicide prevention resources and support. Directs that the model risk referral protocol must provide guidelines on identification of atrisk students, suicide prevention procedures, and referral sources. Directs that the training program and model risk referral protocol shall be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary.
Directs each local school administrative unit to provide the training program and model risk referral protocol, or a locally developed plan that meets the requirements of this statute, to school personnel who work directly with K12 students at no cost to the employee. Directs that school employees who work directly with K12 students shall receive the training within 12 months of employment and annually thereafter while employed with that local school board. Authorizes several methods of administering the training.
Authorizes local boards of education to develop local plans that include, at minimum, (1) conveying information on State and national data on suicide rates, methods, and atrisk populations; (2) myths and attitudes about suicide; (3) warning signs and symptoms; (4) identification of atrisk students and steps for referral to support services; (5) protective factors for suicide prevention; and (6) safe messaging to children. Also requires that a local plan shall include at least (1) a plan to include specialized training for specified student support personnel; (2) a safety plan for the school in the event of identification of an at risk student and suicide or suicide attempt by a student enrolled in the school; (3) designation of a school employee as the school suicide prevention responder; (4) a plan for communication with atrisk students' parents or legal guardians; and (5) a plan for post-intervention for at-risk students, including reentry into the classroom.
Directs each local school administrative unit to report to the Department of Public Instruction on compliance with mandatory training and prevention requirements under this statute by September 15 of each year.
Prevents civil liability for local boards of education and its members, employees, designees, agents, and volunteers, for acts or omissions of acts relating to the training program or protocol required by this statute unless those acts or omissions amount to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.
Enacts new GS 115C218.75(g) to require charter schools to provide a youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and risk referral protocol in accordance with new GS 115C375.10. Directs the charter school to report to the Department of Public Instruction by September 15 on compliance with required training and prevention activities. Prevents civil liability for charter school boards of directors, their members, employees, designees, agents, and volunteers for acts or omissions relating to the training programs and protocols required by this statute unless those acts or omissions amount to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.
Applies beginning with the 201819 school year.